Sebena pleads guilty to killing cop wife

Iraq War vet convicted Wednesday in death of 30-year-old officer

An Iraq War veteran accused of fatally shooting his wife, a Milwaukee-area police officer, last year has pleaded guilty to a homicide charge.

Benjamin Sebena, 31, originally pleaded insanity to first-degree intentional homicide. But two doctors agreed that while he has significant mental health issues, they don't rise to the level of supporting an insanity plea.

After looking at his options, Sebena made the choice to take the deal and plead guilty before his trial.

"Quite honestly, he wants to get the decision done as quickly as possible and that's why we did not wait until July 8 in order to do that," said John Steinle, Sebena's attorney.

Sebena was convicted Wednesday afternoon in Milwaukee. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors will recommend Sebena be eligible for parole in 50 to 60 years.

“Under these circumstances, this was an appropriate resolution from our standpoint, and we support it fully,” said Kent Lovern, chief deputy district attorney.

The criminal complaint said Sebena acknowledged ambushing 30-year-old Jennifer Sebena while the Wauwatosa police officer was conducting a pre-dawn patrol alone on Christmas Eve. Ben Sebena told investigators he was a jealous husband and had been stalking her.

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